How the Met Police plan to keep Al Quds protesters apart this weekend

LocalPolitics
12 Mar 2026 • 11:21 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The Metropolitan Police will use the River Thames as a "barrier" to separate Al Quds protesters and counter-protesters in London on Sunday, deploying marine units and over 1,000 officers.
  • This "new, bespoke tactic" aims to prevent clashes after the police successfully applied to ban the annual Al Quds Day march, though static demonstrations are permitted under strict conditions.
  • Al Quds demonstrators will be restricted to the south side of the river on Albert Embankment, while counter-protests will be confined to the north side near Millbank, with all events limited to 1pm to 3pm.
  • Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan stated that while the police cannot entirely eliminate the risk of disorder, the river separation is expected to significantly reduce it.
  • The decision to ban the march, approved by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, was criticised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission but welcomed by the Community Security Trust.

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